dona

1 of 2

noun (1)

do·​na ˈdō-nə How to pronounce dona (audio)
: a Portuguese or Brazilian woman of rank
—used as a title prefixed to the Christian name

doña

2 of 2

noun (2)

do·​ña ˈdō-nyə How to pronounce doña (audio)
: a Spanish woman of rank
—used as a title prefixed to the Christian name

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Portuguese, from Latin domina lady — more at dame

Noun (2)

Spanish, from Latin domina

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1897, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dona was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near dona

doña

dona

donable

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Dona.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dona. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

doña

noun
do·​ña ˈdō-nyə How to pronounce doña (audio)
: a Spanish woman of rank
—used as a title
Etymology

Noun

from Spanish doña "a woman of rank," from Latin domina (same meaning) — related to dame

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